In Memoriam: Olympic Skater Denis Ten's Incredible Career

The figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist was killed in Kazakhstan.

DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images

Published July 19, 2018

Published a month ago

The skating world was rocked by news of the death of Olympic medalist Denis Ten at age 25. The figure skater from Kazakhstan, who'd won bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics, died on July 19 after being stabbed, reportedly during an attempted robbery. Canadian skater Patrick Chan said on Twitter, "One of the most beautiful skaters to have graced our sport... I feel so lucky to have made memories with Denis that I will cherish forever." Here, a look back on Ten's remarkable career.

DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty ImagesTen was a regular competitor at the World Figure Skating Championships. Here he is airborne during the 2010 competition.

AFP/AFP/Getty ImagesTen performs in the Men's Short Program during the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships.Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesHe took home the silver medal in the Men's Free Skating section at that same competition.Paul Gilham/Getty ImagesIn 2014, Ten earned Kazakhstan its first ever Olympic skating medal, winning bronze in Sochi.

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesDuring his Olympic free skate in 2014.Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesHis 2014 medal was his first and only Olympic medal. While training for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Ten suffered an ankle injury that plagued him during the competition.

Jamie McDonald/Getty ImagesJOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images

Xiaolu Chu/Getty ImagesCompeting at the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai.JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty ImagesHe picked up a bronze at that World competition.

Billie Weiss - ISU/ISU via Getty ImagesDuring the World Championships in 2016.LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty ImagesPerforming a spin during the 2016 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Paris.Joosep Martinson - ISU/ISU via Getty ImagesTen with Javier Fernandez of Spain and American figure skater Adam Rippon (right) during a medal ceremony in 2016. Rippon paid tribute to Ten on Twitter after his death: "He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people. ... Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion."

LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty ImagesFred Lee/Getty ImagesAtsushi Tomura - ISU/ISU via Getty Images“Today is truly a dark day for all of us who knew and loved this young figure skater and were inspired by his talent and creativity,” Kazakhstan Olympic Committee president Timur Kulibayev said. “Throughout his sporting career, Denis set an example with his motivation, strength of spirit and his champion’s personality.”